Raccoons Active

Yesterday’s mystery tracks were those of a raccoon that was following a partially-open stream, emerging from the water only when it was necessary to cross ice in order to get to the next patch of open water. Temperatures have been on the mild side recently, so raccoons have been active. During very cold periods raccoons become lethargic and tend to seek shelter in hollow trees or other retreats where they may remain for up to a month or so. When the temperature at night rises above 32°F., they become active, but little or no food is consumed. Instead, they live off body fat (up to 30% of their weight) they accumulated in the fall. In addition to recent warm weather coaxing Raccoons to become active, February is the peak of their mating season.

(Muskrat, Otter and Beaver were the three other 5-toed, water-loving mammals that received the most “votes,” all viable guesses. The Raccoon’s front and hind feet are more dissimilar from each other than those of Muskrats or Otters are, and a Beaver’s hind feet are webbed and considerably larger than a Raccoon’s.)

Oops, missed that one. But today, during our heavy snowfall, I did get to watch a muskrat crawling in and out of various holes in the ice at Great Meadows, popping up each time with something yummy to eat topside.

> Mary Holland posted: ” Yesterday’s mystery tracks were those of a raccoon > that was following a partially-open stream, emerging from the water only > when it was necessary to cross ice in order to get to the next patch of > open water. Temperatures have been on the mild side recen” >